A Dash Race for Ferrari that confirms what was seen in qualifying, specifically that the 2024 Formulation 1 season is closely “dependent” on tires. A type of “Tire Formulation” that nullifies most different components. It’s because those that can’t optimize tire utilization lose a lot of their inherent competitiveness. Efficiency drops drastically, briefly. That is precisely what has occurred to the Maranello workforce to this point, each in qualifying and within the 100 kilometer mini-race on Saturday. Through the session that decided the grid, the goal temperature was by no means reached, and consequently, the grip was inadequate.
In at present’s race, it took at the least seven laps to stabilize tire temperatures. That is the temporary and unlucky abstract that plainly explains Ferrari’s debacle, simply once they wanted to take an extra aggressive step and imagine in it to the tip. “Let’s give it our all,” Fred Vasseur had stated. It’s to not make irony, however maybe it might have been higher to focus extra on technical components fairly than getting caught up within the pleasure of seeing an SF-24 that flew on paper. Ferrari has an opportunity to redeem itself; let’s see in the event that they show they’ll study from their errors.
Lastly, a truth primarily based on telemetry knowledge: we are able to clearly see how Charles Leclerc was pressured to carry out vital lift-and-coast in each single nook: in flip 1, he lifts about 100 meters earlier than the braking level, counting on engine braking; in flip 4, one other 50 meters earlier; in lengthy sweeping corners, which till that time he had been taking flat-out, distinctive within the grid, we discover how he utterly lifts off the throttle and makes use of larger gears to decrease the RPM, permitting the engine to “breathe.”
Formally, the problem regarding Charles Leclerc‘s presumed downside was fuel-related. However primarily based on our expertise, there was one thing extra behind it. We hope the Maranello technicians have managed to beat this worrying default. Earlier than beginning the narrative, allow us to have a look at the environmental situations right here in Losail: air temperature 19.3°C, monitor temperature 22.4°C. Humidity fairly excessive at 61%, with wind depth of 1.7 kilometers per hour blowing from the north.
Now let’s take an in depth have a look at how occasions unfolded for the 2 Ferrari drivers within the qualifying session for the Qatar Grand Prix.
Every part is prepared; we’re simply ready for the inexperienced mild. In a couple of minutes, we are going to uncover if Ferrari has made progress with the tires.
For this primary Q1 run, each automobiles from Maranello went out on monitor with red-banded Pirelli tires. Ferrari, like the remainder of the groups, desires to correctly research make the compounds work, instantly attempting the used Softs. Charles appears rather more relaxed in comparison with yesterday. Nonetheless within the pit lane, he asks for numerous items of data associated to his monitor place. Sainz doesn’t full the lap. He prefers to return to the storage to make an adjustment to the entrance wing. However, Leclerc crosses the road. Total, the stability appears pretty good. Understeer seems minimized.
With the brand new tires about to be fitted, the front-end load will as soon as once more be adjusted. The 2 Ferraris don’t enter the storage however cease within the pit field to have brand-new red-banded Pirellis mounted. Engine settings, significantly the hybrid part, particularly the ERS, are additionally adjusted to make the facility recovered from the motor turbines extra environment friendly. It’s fascinating to notice how the out-laps are very quick, aiming to use the correct quantity of power to the tire and obtain good grip.
Lastly, the lap occasions appear aggressive, with each Ferrari drivers inside a tenth of the highest. A double cooldown follows, throughout which Adami and Bozzi present a seemingly infinite stream of recommendation on dealing with and mappings to enhance efficiency. On the second try, Leclerc strikes into second place, adopted by Sainz. This Q1 provides hope, as there have been no points reaching and sustaining the goal temperatures all through the lap. We await extra vital ends in the following qualifying part, the place issues will get critical.
The pit cease is temporary. Sainz is the primary Ferrari driver again on monitor, adopted by his teammate a minute later. Each are nonetheless on used Gentle tires. The chosen stability appears useful however comes with a slight lack of rotation, noticeable particularly in Sector 2, the place hitting the apex completely is rarely straightforward. Nonetheless, this setup appears manageable to this point. As soon as once more, the lap to heat up the tires is faster than ordinary.
On the ultimate nook, the push mode is engaged, they usually go flat out. The try is respectable, though the used tires clearly don’t supply optimum grip. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz shortly return to the pit field and are introduced into the storage. Model-new red-banded Pirellis are fitted. The Monegasque driver notes that he made a mistake within the final nook, costing him at the least a tenth and a half in efficiency. They head again onto the Qatari monitor floor for this last Q2 run, which is each vital and decisive.
As soon as once more, the out-lap is aggressive, with a number of modifications to the facility unit mappings. The goal lap time to advance is ready at 21.1 seconds, requiring a three-tenths enchancment over the earlier laps. Sainz doesn’t enhance, reporting struggles with the front-end. Charles, nevertheless, hits the goal. Each drivers do a cooldown lap and go once more. This time, Carlos Sainz improves and advances, as does Charles Leclerc. Nonetheless, limitations stay, because the setup tweaks don’t appear to have resolved them.
After we communicate of “fundamental limitation,” we confer with the front-end administration. In medium-speed nook entries, the Ferraris’ entrance finish lacks precision. This forces the drivers to “spherical out” the curves, shedding time. Furthermore, though the goal temperatures are extra constant than yesterday, they’re nonetheless not preferrred. In some circumstances, a discrepancy between the 2 axles was additionally noticed, which definitely doesn’t assist.
We arrive at Q3, the ultimate and essential part of this qualifying session. The 2 SF-24 single-seaters go away the pit lane, now on contemporary Gentle tires. Heat-up mode is activated to assist the tires come to life, with engineers emphasizing preparation of the entrance axle. This time, the out-lap is slower, a deliberate transfer primarily based on Q2 suggestions. Charles Leclerc delivers a clear lap with no errors. Carlos Sainz additionally avoids errors however is slower. The stability seems typically higher, indicating that the much less aggressive warm-up technique labored.
The 2 Ferrari automobiles return to the pits, awaiting the ultimate run. A minute later, they head again out with their final set of latest Softs. The monitor evolution is critical and should be exploited to the fullest. The SF-24 automobiles select a extra cautious activation lap once more, utilizing heavy steering zigzags to convey the entrance finish as much as temperature. Each Ferraris ship their greatest however fall wanting the McLarens. The Monegasque is about 80 milliseconds behind the MCL38s, whereas Carlos Sainz trails by two-tenths. Max Verstappen impressively secures pole by simply 55 milliseconds over Russell.
The outcome, as soon as once more, is unsatisfactory. In comparison with yesterday, though tire administration has improved considerably, grid positions are even worse. The Maranello workforce tried to regulate the automobile stability. Whereas they higher understood the tires, this additionally lowered the automobile’s efficiency. The Ferrari drivers will not be as disenchanted or indignant as they had been on Friday, as they imagine they extracted the utmost at present. They made this clear over the radio. Tomorrow’s race, at a distance of 300 kilometers, provides an opportunity for restoration, which isn’t unimaginable.
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